WAW 1939-1945 PO Version 62221 Allied Human vs Axis Bot

[thomasharvey]

T31 3/30/40 The British are ready to defend the Suez Canal. British units destroyed in France have been reconstituted in Egypt.

[thomasharvey]

T32 4/6/40 The peace loving Bot is already preparing another invasion. This time in Yugoslavia. Note the RR engineers getting ready... This may be considered a threat making Yugoslavia declare war. If that happens then the Yugoslav defenders can move ahead of the invasion. Without that it may be a short war. The loss of Belgrade causes the surrender. The defenders are spread out trying to defend all the borders. If I can move them ahead of time Belgrade will last a long time.

[thomasharvey]

T21 4/6/40 Paris has turned into a "Stalingrad." The center of Paris is now dense urban ruin. However, there will be no rescue of the valiant French defenders. They will have to wait until 1943 or later for their liberation.

[thomasharvey]

T32 4/6/40 The Italian Axis Bot is itching to invade Egypt. They have no idea what is waiting for them. The Italians will need rescue quickly..

[thomasharvey]

T33 4/13.40 France surrenders! Italy now declares war.

[thomasharvey]

T33 4/13/40 The Italians invade Egypt. The Allied defenders at Alamein do not activate until turn 39. So, the Italians will get in the first attacks at Alamein. I could use the Suez troops now but I want the Italians to get in deep before I wipe them out.

[thomasharvey]

T33 April 13, 1940 This view shows something I almost did not notice. Two German units moved by rail up to the Northern border which activated the Yugo 3d Ter Army. I could send them into battle now at the intruder but I would suspect more Germans on the rail that are not visible. I will move them towards Belgrade instead while movement is clear. The Yugoslav defenders do not activate until turn 82 normally. I think that date was chosen due to a pro western government taking over in or around March of 41. The Axis player had better invade before then to prevent hordes of troops causing havoc.

[thomasharvey]

T33 4/13/40 Here is a large view of the historical set up of Yugoslavia before the invasion. I hope to move some of them to defend Belgrade before it is too late.

[thomasharvey]

T34 4/20/40 Here are the panzers adjacent to Belgrade! I must now use what is able to move and blow bridges and cut Axis supply, etc.

[thomasharvey]

T34 4/20/40 The front I forget about is Italian East Afrika. The Italians have substantial forces there even though they are cut off from Italy. They can hold out and cause trouble if not deal with. For the time being I will defend at Port Sudan to keep the Italians from marching into Egypt. When I have extra troops I will invade their lair and eliminate them.

[thomasharvey]

T34 4/20/40 One of the units defending British Somaliland is the gallant, wait for it,
"Allied Forces East Africa Command, Somaliland Camel Corps!" Their proficiency is poor but their readiness is high.

[thomasharvey]

T34 4/20/40 Here is the initial Belgrade defense. If the two panzer divisions attack Belgrade next turn they might take it. That would end in a cheap victory for the Bot. I can't let that happen!

As indicated there are most likely many more units on the rail going to attack Belgrade shortly. Most are not visible.

[thomasharvey]

T35 4/27/40 Now a word about Malta. The Axis never invaded or attempted to invade Malta. They bombed it instead thinking that was enough. In this scenario the Axis Bot will never attack it with ground troops but will shell it severely with its navy and will bomb it as well. A human opponent would do something different probably.

As the Allies I just dig in the troops until they are finally shelled to death. I thought ships could not take a land port. However, sometimes they can. Here they sometimes do take possession of Malta after shelling off all the defensive units. As the allied player I thought I would sail in some extra troops when Italy is at peace. I found out that the Italian air force is always on duty. Even at peace they attacked and sunk most or all of my troops. The Royal Navy also gets hit hard trying to reach Malta.

So I just leave it. If it remains under my control I might stage some naval bombers there and strike the Italian bombardment fleet with good results. However, they are instantly shelled into oblivion so expect only one good strike. In the early war the Allies can't afford that but later they can.

The screen shot shows over 20 Italian ships shelling away turn after turn, round after round. Some Italian ships were damaged/sunk by shore batteries until the batteries were evaporated.

[thomasharvey]

T35 4/27/40 This view shows Yugoslavia declares war on the Axis. That activates all the main troops except for the border police units that stay as garrisons in place. The view also shows German units invading from Italy and also Italian Alpine troops also invading from there. The Yugoslavian army units are doing their best to delay the capture of Belgrade. Most of the rivers have been blown as well.

[thomasharvey]

T35 4/27/40 The first battle of Alamein is a UK victory. The area in blue needs to watched as troops on foot can cross the Qattara Depression. The Bot always sends something through there.

I waited until the Italians made contact to activate my first units. Others will activate on turn 39. At that point I will retake Egypt. However, I will not send troops to Greece and I will not enter Libya just yet.

Sailing to Greece could end in disaster like going to Malta and entering Libya will activate additional Axis troops. If Tobruk is taken the Afrika Korps will be activated and land at Tripoli. Their assignment is to take the Suez Canal. That would result in a loss of 2% of all allied replacements. That is permanent.

Also, the farther you go into Libya the more Italian troops are activated for duty in Libya. This of course exceeds the ability for the Axis to supply them all so the supply to all Axis troops in Afrika is limited to 50% of normal. Since there are very few rail lines in Afrika, all forces have to deal with low supply.

These extra troops to Afrika are actual units that are taken from other areas. Once they surrender in Afrika they are never reformed. They were not historically sent but could have been had supply not been drastically reduced by the ULTRA intercepts sinking the cargo. Further, actual ground troops and equipment was handled differently than supply resulting in the vast majority getting through.

[thomasharvey]

T38 5/18/40 Belgrade is slowing the Germans for now.

[thomasharvey]

T38 5/18/40 The Italians are being crushed in Egypt.

[thomasharvey]

T39 5/25/40 Malta belongs to the Duce! I thought it would last longer. Maybe the battle of the Malta convoys should be reconsidered.

[thomasharvey]

T39 5/25/40 This is Fortress Belgrade and we are fighting! Most of the bridges have been blown.

[thomasharvey]

T41 6/8/40 Greece declares war against Axis. I think it may have been the unit circled in blue or maybe and Axis air strike. Not sure but now all the Greek troops are activated.